The Ministerial Advisory Council on Skilled Migration (MACSM) is a tripartite body, comprising industry, unions, State and Territory government representatives and other members nominated by the Minister for Immigration, Citizenship and Multicultural Affairs. MACSM provides advice to the Minister on Australia’s temporary and permanent skilled migration programs and associated matters.
Terms of Reference
MACSM advises the Minister on:
- policy settings to optimise the contribution of skilled migration to Australia’s economy, including in regional Australia, and in attracting the best and the brightest
- the size and composition of Australia’s temporary and permanent skilled migration programs
- skill shortages in the labour market which cannot be met from the domestic labour force and domestic training and education programs
- opportunities to reduce regulatory burdens and costs on Australian businesses seeking to access visa programs to fill genuine skilled vacancies
- policies to ensure that Australian workers are afforded priority in the labour market
- the role of State and Territory governments in skilled and business migration
- the adequacy of regulatory powers of the Department of Home Affairs to ensure integrity and detect and prevent practices which are inconsistent with the intent of the programs
- opportunities to address the exploitation of migrant workers
- strategies to ensure Australia’s migration programs contribute to Australia’s security, prosperity and economic recovery post COVID-19.
In providing advice MACSM gives consideration to the broader migration context while retaining a focus on skilled migration.
The Department of Home Affairs provides secretariat support to MACSM.
List of MACSM members for 2022-23
Mr Innes WILLOX AM (Chair)
Chief Executive
Australian Industry Group
Ms Alexi BOYD
Small Business Consultant
Ms Annie BUTLER
Federal Secretary
Australian Nursing and Midwifery Federation
Ms Melinda CILENTO
Chief Executive
Committee for Economic Development of Australia
Dr Joanna HOWE
Associate Professor in Law
The University of Adelaide
Mr Peter HUGHES PSM
Fellow
Centre for Policy Development
Mr Tony MAHAR
Chief Executive Officer
National Farmers Federation
Ms Jill MCCABE
Chief Executive Officer
Professionals Australia
Professor Peter MCDONALD AM
Professor of Demography
University of Melbourne
Mr Andrew MCKELLAR
Chief Executive Officer
Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry
Mr Steven MURPHY
National Secretary
Australian Manufacturing Workers' Union
Ms Michele O'NEIL
President
Australian Council of Trades Unions
Ms Liz RITCHIE
Chief Executive Officer
Regional Australia Institute
Ms Jennifer WESTACOTT AO
Chief Executive Officer
Business Council of Australian
Mr Michael WRIGHT
National Assistant Secretary
Electrical Trades Union of Australia
